Susan F's review
Dec 29, 2018 · edit


it was amazing






This is an enjoyable romance and adventure story that starts out with action. Hattie is a character that changes and matured though the trials she endures. Jack is getting a form of payback for the teasing he gave his superior officer and friend from the previous book in the Fort Reno series. He is also a magnetic male lead.
The inclusion of Arapaho natives makes this story interesting and informative. Their caring, loyalty and pride adds such depth to the story, especially their devotion to the children who they are slowly allowing to attend the white man's school. The characters are easy to care about and the believable plot makes me want to read more from the series. This is an excellent story for the Christmas season or any time.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy. (I must comment that the description in the advanced readers copy about using oil paints and having them mistakenly dry quickly was forgivable because the story is so good.)

Regina Jennings’s books have a way of tugging at your heart-strings without making you feel sad or depressed. Her stories are light and hilarious, but there is still a depth of character and faith in each one. I love the predicaments her characters find themselves in.
The characters are flawed and relatable. They have tender walks with the Lord and their faith shines through the pages reminding us to trust his plan without being preachy or pushy.
Although this is the second book in the Fort Reno series, it does stand on its own. You don’t have to have read book one first, but I highly recommend it and not just because it’s a great story as well. Several characters come back as secondary parts that were in the first book. If you haven’t read book one (which would definitely enrich book two) you might be as confused as Hattie was when Louisa starts mentioning the Cat-Eye Saloon.
I loved the historical elements. They perfectly set the stage and take me on a fun adventure into the old west. One of the story elements I loved was Jack and Hattie’s feelings of inferiority for themselves, each comparing themselves to the other and both feeling the same way and yet not talking about it. While they were opposite in so many ways, they have the same heart.
Having lived in a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language or understand the culture I could relate with Jack’s mistake in the beginning of the book, but I did find it odd that he couldn’t understand what the Indians were saying then, but later he’s able to translate an entire speech. Having lived in Colorado, I loved Hattie’s fascination with the Rocky Mountains. I enjoyed her journey into becoming a deeper person and artist. I loved watching her grow as she learned about life. Jack was adorable. He was so strong and capable, but when it came to Hattie, he turns into a sweet little boy and it was so cute! I enjoyed meeting up with Daniel, Louisa, Caroline, Daisy, and Bradley again!
I am an absolute Jennings fan and I’ve only read two of her books! They’re perfect when you want a faith-filled story with a laugh out loud plot, sweet romance and a bit of western adventure and danger.

My Review:



Genre: Historical fiction.



My Rating: 4 stars.



My Recommendation: 15 up because of romance.





My favorite character: This one goes to Jack, sheesh does he deserves it after the start of this book!

My verse for Jack is Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; (King James Version.)

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My Thoughts: This book! It is another enjoyable historical read by Regina Jennings, a little like When Calls The Heart which is funny because one of the characters is named Jack. Can I just say how much I love historical fiction, and this book is a very good historical romance, and an enjoyable romance at that! Jennings didn’t focus solely on romance she took romance and wove it into a realistic, funny, and yet serious novel all wrapped up in a bow, eh, uniform.

Something that made it even more enjoyable was how accurate it was and that it showed throughout the whole book even the characters and their interactions! I think this pushed Jennings into my top 10 favorite historical authors!

And When Calls The Heart fans will love this book!
P.S. The cover has my favorite color which made me love it even more! ;)

I received this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it!

The Lieutenant's Bargain is the second novel in Regina Jennings' Fort Reno series and is an amusing addition to the series. The novel is well written, containing elements of mystery, suspense, romance, danger, and comedy. The characters are fairly well developed and have some truly entertaining and heartwarming interactions. Hattie and Jack find themselves in a tangled mess with no seemingly easy way out that is both amusing and endearing for the reader. I enjoyed seeing how both continue to fight their growing attraction while at the same time attempting to hold onto their separate dreams. It was fun to watch them learn to trust the guidance of God and His plan instead of holding out for their own wishes. And in the end they find what they truly needed and could gain was so much greater than their original plans. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next addition to the series.

I received this novel from Bethany House through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

God does work in mysterious ways. Hattie travels by herself to Denver but doesn’t make it because the stagecoach she is in is attacked by gunman. She survives and is saved and rescued by Jack who she knew as an awkward boy who she grew up with. I enjoyed this story and had many laughs during it. I am really enjoying this series and hope for many more. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I have so been looking forward to Lieutenant Jack Hennessey’s story since getting to know him and his bookish ways in Holding the Fort. Jack has had a long time secret love for a young woman he grew up with in his hometown. So imagine his surprise when he ends up running in to her again out in Indian Territory by herself after a very harrowing ordeal.

Hattie Walker is an artist and a dreamer. Her dream is to make a name for herself with her artwork. However her parents see things quite differently. They would like for her to marry and settle down. Hattie is not against marriage exactly, she just cannot find the right man to interest her. So she decides to take her parents offer of two months to go to Denver by herself, put her art work in an exhibition, and then come back home to marry and settle down. Hattie is desperate for her artwork to be exhibited but unfortunately finds herself in a dangerous situation and lost on the prairie. After being taken in by the Arapaho tribe, Hattie finds herself being rescued by none other than Jack Hennessey.

After a series of misunderstandings and humorous mishaps, Jack and Hattie find themselves in quite a predicament, one that neither planned and it will certainly bear some consequences. I don’t want to say anything else as I was quite surprised at the turn this book took and I enjoyed it immensely.

This was at times a humorous and heartwarming story of two people who learn to see each other for who they really are and then must decide if love is worth the risk of a different future and dreams than otherwise planned. This is Jack and Hattie’s enjoyable and re-readable love story.

I was provided a copy of this story by Bethany House. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Just when you think you know what you're doing with your life, God happens.

Nothing in life is a coincidence. Not to faithful praying people. God has a plan for us all, sometimes in ways we would never think of. Jack is a soldier at Fort Reno, working for years with the Indians to keep peace at the Darlington Indian Agency. There was a girl where he grew up that he had cherished since childhood, but she barely knew he existed. Then she appears here, not far from the fort, after a stagecoach ambush. And he accidently marries her in a ceremony performed by the Indians that rescued her. All Hattie wanted was to go to Colorado to paint and be recognized for her talent. As she is forced to live at Fort Reno, she is learning to paint better. The emotions she feels and those of her subjects is exquisitely described. As Jack and Hattie are getting to know each other better, their relationship is like a dance where they're both getting closer together. The men involved with the stagecoach robbery come back into the story and the story really gets intense. A fabulous book that I didn't want to put down.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Hattie Walker dreams of becoming a painter, while her parents want her to settle down. As a compromise, they give her two months to head to Denver and place her works in an exhibition or give up the dream forever. Her journey is derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach, leaving her to be rescued by a group of Arapaho . . . but she's too terrified to recognize them as friendly.

Confirmed bachelor Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has long worked with the tribe and is tasked with trying to convince them that the mission school at Fort Reno can help their children. When a message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to take her home--and plead his case once more.

He's stunned to run into Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart--but quickly realizes he has a chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in peril--and tests Jack's resolve to remain single.

I have enjoyed all the books by Regina Jennings that I have read and this one is no exception. This book is full of fun between Jack and Hattie. They have known each other since they were children. But a lot has happened since they were kids. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books about Fort Reno.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

This book was another fun adventure in the Fort Reno Series by Regina Jennings. I enjoy these historical romance novels with a lighthearted adventure! As a kid we watched a lot of old westerns, so these books kind of give me the nostalgia of John Wayne in Fort Apache or Yellow Ribbon! I really enjoyed the plot of this book. I knew after diving in and finding out the circumstances that this was going to be a treat! I loved Jack! He was just the sweetest! There were so many tender moments in this book that will make your heart melt into a puddle. I will be up front and say that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Hattie. She was difficult, spoiled, and selfish. I felt like I was such a big fan of Jack, that I just couldn’t fathom how Hattie wasn’t falling head over heels for him! Their relationship kept me invested in this story and ultimately I ended up warming up to Hattie as the book progressed. I enjoyed getting small glimpses of characters from the previous book, i felt as thought it helped create a sense of community for these characters living in the Fort. I loved the conclusion of this book and felt like it was a great addition to the series!

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. Beautiful cover. Lovely story that keeps you turning. Humour. Humour always amps a book.
Hattie has always wanted to paint. She does not just want to get married which is what is expected of her so she has convinced her parents to give her two months to go paint. Things don't go well on the trip and her coach is attacked by robbers. The next thing she finds herself in an Indian settlement.
Well Jack has always loved Hattie. Imagine his shock when he finds that the woman he has been sent to pick up from the Indians is the woman he loves.
The story picks up quite nicely from there. I don't want to give away the story.
Heartily recommend this
Romance, humour, a little bit of mystery and a reminder that God sometimes works in ways we might not fathom.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany house publishers for providing me with a copy of this book. This is my candid review.

"Genuinely heartfelt, this engaging plot and endearing cast bring Fort Reno to life!" - Bookmarked Review for Hope By The Book magazine online bonus content "In Review" 11/30/18

#TheLieutenantsBargin #NetGalley
The Lieutenant's Bargin is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone novel, I didn't read the other books in this series. Hattie wants to prove to her parents, that she can make it as an artist, so she gets on a stagecoach bound for Denver Colorado, to paint the Rocky mountains. Jack still pines for the Hattie, he knew as a young man in school, now all grown up and in the military, he is right in the middle of Indian territory. When Jack hears that the stagecoach has been robbed and a young lady is one of the survivors, and was found by some Indian scouts, he has no idea that he is about to face Hattie as a grown moman. He might just bein for more than he bargined for. I loved the bantering back and forth between Hattie and Jack. This was such a fun read.

Regina Jennings’s second book in the Fort Reno Series is just as lively and spirited as the first. Witty dialogue, snappy scenes, and unique circumstances bring the era alive. Hattie Walker longs to prove herself as an artist, and accepts a challenge from her parents to travel to Denver, Colorado to paint and enter her masterpiece in a competition. If her endeavor doesn’t pan out, she’ll come home and fulfill her parents’ desire—marry an eligible man as soon as possible.

But nothing turns out as she planned. But trouble starts with a life-saving bathroom break in the middle-of-nowhere prairie. Not an auspicious start to a portfolio-building career as an artist.

Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has to leave his best friend’s wedding before the festivities. But business on the fort doesn’t stop for weddings for funerals. The Arapaho need help with a white woman they rescued on the prairie. Maybe leaving Daniel and Miss Bell’s wedding will keep him from longing after the only perfect girl he’s ever noticed. Too bad she never noticed him.

But nothing turns out as he planned. He discovers that the troublesome white woman is none other than his ideal girl from back home. In an attempt to impress her, he asks the Arapaho chief to turn her over to him in a ceremony. Something gets lost in the translation, though. Not an auspicious start to a relationship with the only girl he’s ever loved.

Jennings, once again, does an admirable job of balancing perspectives in this inspirational novel that takes place during a time in history when very few people sought to understand Native Americans. Any author wishing to write about this time period with authenticity must make sure to not imbue characters with modern philosophies while at the same time avoid worsening negative stereotypes of Native Americans.

The author keeps the references to ‘Indians’ to a minimum—using the more correct tribal name as often as possible. She urges readers in a letter at the end to research Carlisle Indian School on their own, and hints that they’ll find good and plenty of bad. She also references two of the most horrific actions by whites against Native Americans during this time period (Sand Creek Massacre and the Battle of Washita River).

While not a Native American, I have taught Native American students for six years, and have researched their treatment at the hands of misguided whites. The scene where a young boy has his hair cut made me cry—and I wish Jennings would have explored the misguided reasoning behind missionaries’ insistence that Native students cut their hair and dress as white men. But perhaps to do so would imbue historical characters with modern points of view.

Jennings uses her considerable talent to keep the pace of the novel hopping while still spending time to fully develop characters.

The Lieutenant’s Bargain is the second of Regina Jennings’ books I have read. What I have found each time is that reading her stories leaves me anxious to read more. Her imaginative, quirky, adventurous writing with such charming characters is very appealing.

After her stagecoach is robbed, leaving Hattie as the only witness of the murders, she flees into the wilderness. When she is rescued by friendly Arapaho, she mistakenly believes they are going to kill her. Her attempts to escape and reactions to the food they try to feed her are hilarious and even funnier is the name they bestow on her as a result.

Jack, the boy-now-lieutenant, who had been so in love with her when they were in school together, has no idea Hattie is the one going to take off the local tribe’s hands. While he understands some of the Arapaho language, there is much he doesn’t know and his attempts at impressing her don’t turn out quite like he planned.

The interactions between Hattie and Jack are so comical! They are also tender and sweet as he is the only one who is able to make her feel secure after her trauma. I loved the way Jack appeared so in control and fastidious, and yet his house was a bit of a disaster with books piled up everywhere. When Hattie attempted to help him straighten up (without his knowledge, of course!), the results were hilarious. Who but an artist would ever think to organize books like that?

In addition to the great story and personal interactions, the book is also carefully researched and has so many details about the interactions between the “Indians” and the settlers in the Oklahoma Territory. The details of the missionary school and the tenuous relations with the tribes were not only fascinating and illuminating, they were also woven into the story very naturally.

Historical fiction readers who enjoy humor, adventure, and spiritual lessons should put this book on their must-read list!


I was given a copy of this book for free. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

I liked this book, but I can't help comparing it to the first one. And I much prefer Holding the Fort (HTF).

However, I did enjoy this novel. Jack is his same spirited-self, nerdy, respectful, and all around adorable. I loved him the same as HTF. I had some issues with Hattie at the beginning, with her self-focused mindset, and her pointed obliviousness. The way she treated Jack was downright rude. Though by the end, I had connected with Hattie enough to like her.

I was a bit skeptical with Jack not noticing that the Native Americans were marrying them, since he does know their language and customs. It went on for several hours and him being stupefied by Hattie for that long is unbelievable.

Them honoring their marriage was a trope I very much enjoyed because I like Marriage of Convience books. It was a decently good book, but not something I fell in love with.

The arapho nation stuff was interesting to read, but I never connect nor cared about the characters.

I might re-read if re-reading the series, but by itself I wouldn't read again.

I am a fan of Ms. Jennings and all of her books, but I definitely do have favorites. And this book was the best one I've read since A Most Inconvenient Marriage (one of my absolute favorites).

This book had everything. Adventure and believable danger, history, humor, and a sweet love story. The misunderstandings were hilarious to read and as I put myself in the character's places, their feelings and choices (and mistakes) were so relatable.

I loved Hattie. I loved that she was bold and naive. I loved that she was selfish and self-involved sometimes. I loved that her character had room to grow and mature. I loved the way her priorities changed. And I loved that she relied on her wits and faith to save her from beginning to end.

I think I loved Jack even more. I loved his ego and pride. I loved when he was intentionally funny and stuck his foot in his mouth. I laughed out loud at some of his private reflections. I loved his honor and integrity. And I loved the way he loved Hattie.

Most of all, I loved the rich history and side stories of tensions and change in Indian Territory. I thought it was sensitive and respectful and so well done. And I was particularly moved by Tom Broken Arrow.

I cannot recommend this book enough.

I really enjoy Regina Jennings novels. They touch on serious issues, but are overall light-hearted stories of muddled situations turning out for the best.

Jennings takes rather modern characters and places them in historical settings. I find this enjoyable. I don’t have to try to wrap my mind around a character from another time and place. I can simply relate to them. So if I had to suspend my sense of historical reality just a bit for the plot to work I really didn’t mind a bit.

In fact, living cross culturally myself I could entirely relate to the character’s experience of really not understanding the implications of what is happening around them, so in that case I didn’t have to suspend reality at all.

Hattie is an independent woman traveling alone across country pursuing her career of art. Jack is a good guy who really cares about the native people that he is working with and wants to do the right thing. When Jack discovers that Hattie, the woman he has long admired, needs rescuing, he makes a bid to impress her and things get out of hand. Now Jack and Hattie have to choose what that will mean for their future. Will it completely derail their individual dreams or will they find a new path together?

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved The Lieutenant's Bargain! I would say the theme for this book is that God can use anything for good. Hattie Walker is headed to Denver to prove that she can be an artist. Hattie survives a stagecoach robbery and ends up in the care of Lieutenant Jack Hennessey a former childhood friend.
This novel has a strong plot and beautiful settings. The dialogue brings the story to life. I always enjoy reading books by Regina Jennings. She continues to grow as an author. So grab a glass of Meadow tea and settle in for a great read!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with noe expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Y'ALL I READ A TON OF THIS LAST NIGHT AND STAYED UP UNTIL 3 AM AND I ONLY DOWNLOADED IT AT LIKE MIDNIGHT SO YEP HALFWAY THROUGH ALREADY AND I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN.

It is -

*clean
*adorable
*has the sweetest characters
*made me laugh
*made me grin
*made me die for these poor characters because they are so bad at charactering sometimes

Having read Regina Jennings before, I expected to be entertained, transported and touched all in one novel, and I wasn't disappointed. I was almost instantly immersed in life at a fort on the cusp of military/tribal relations. The story swept me up as their relationship developed so sweetly, despite the circumstances that threw them together. I felt like I had a clear picture of the setting as I read, and found it hard to put the story down when I had other things to be doing. Thank you for several hours great entertainment.